Late Friday arrival, need cheap hotel 1 nite and then will check into POR?

[mlbretscher]

I recently booked our first trip to WDW. I booked at Saturday to Saturday packaged stay at POR. The more I think about it I was wondering if it might be best to fly out on a Friday after the kids get out of school and check into a cheap (but clean) hotel for just one night. That way we could check out early Saturday morning and have a full day at WDW (instead of only a partial day depending on flight arrival time). I'm sure others have done this and I insterested if most think. Is it worth it? I know that there will be the added expence of the 1 additional night stay at a hotel, plus the taxi fare from the airport to the (cheap) hotel for our family of five, but am I missing anything else that might out weigh the advantages of a full day of the Disney experience? Thanks for any info!

 

[WDWisTheBest]

I would fly in on Friday night with the family to be able to enjoy a full day on Saturday at WDW. If your room is not ready at POR early Saturday, you could just check your bags so that they will be taken to the room when it is ready. Then you could enjoy the park(s), until you are ready to come back to the room to unpack, take a break, or whatever. You didn't mention when you are arriving, but check the various threads to find out about crowds, etc.

Have fun and enjoy your stay.

 

[robinb]

Why don't you plan to stay out at the airport? You can catch their free shuttle from the airport. Then, you can arrange it so the limo picks you up at your hotel and then brings you to POR (with a grocery stop, of course!).

 

[Phrank40]

Our family quite often stays in an off site inexpensive hotel the first night in Orlando before we go to a Disney resort. Looking to save a few bucks where I can I hate to arrive late at a Disney Resort and spend big bucks for that night. Everybody has their own thoughts on this, I mention this strategy to some people and they think I'm crazy- once you get to a hotel you just don't change to another one. Anyhow, with a little research you can find nice hotels with good rates on 192 or in Lake Buena Vista or even Hotel Plaza. Recently booked a Hampton Inn with a continental breakfast on Highway 192 near Disney for $50 with a Roomsaver coupon.

Phrank

 

[MJwritestuff]

I would absolutely do that - we were so buzzed from getting up so early in the morning last time we flew in that the first day was all a blur. It would have been a shame to waste it in the parks. Plus, my kids were all grouchy and by dinnertime, completely overloaded. We stayed at HIFS, which I wouldn't recommend again but I know they have their fans. I found it shabby. This time, we're staying with friends the first night, but I would stay at the airport if I were you - I heard very nice things about it and you can't get much more convenient.

If not, try one of the specials at the DD resorts - you can probably get something for $70 or so.

Have a great time!


Melissa

 

[momtokendantom]

I got a great deal on Priceline for the Hyatt Regency Orlando hotel for only $38 (January '04.) It is located right at the Orlando airport and has very positive reviews. If you have not tried Priceline, you should know there is not guarantee of which hotel you will get and no refunds. For more information check out www.biddingfortravel.com

My kids will be really tired when we arrive in Orlando at 6p.m. I cannot see paying an extra $100+ to sleep that first night.

Good luck with your plans.

Michelle in MA

 

[SB in KY]

I agree with the previous poster...I would fly in on the Friday...if you bid for a 3* hotel in the MCO area on Priceline, they all have free shuttle service to and from the airport...so you could go to the hotel, relax, swim have dinner and early bedtime and the next day everyone would be ready to spend the whole day at Disney....3* rooms via Priceline are going for anywhere from $36 to $40/night right now (so under $50 including tax and fees). Make sure you limit your bid to 3*'s because not all of the 2 or 21/2*'s have airport shuttles. The 3*'s they book at are the Hyatt which is right in the airport (and very nice, although rooms are kind of small), the Marriott, Rennaisance, and Holiday Inn Select...all of which are nice.
When you look at the cost of a day at WDW it might be worth the $40 or so to get a whole day vs just a little bit of the day.
I don't know how old your kids are, but especially with younger kids, the travel day is all they can handle...we always REALLY appreciated the break before starting out for the parks.
You might also think of renting a car for the week (we have a compact reserved thru Dollar for a week in November for only a few dollars more than a towncar would be (we fly in late, I got a room via Priceline at HI Select for the night...I will hop the shuttle back to the airport the next AM and pick up the car...what we saved on an extra day of car rental almost pays for the hotel room)
We also find that getting flights to Orlando on a Sat AM can be tricky...guess that's when everyone wants to go.